San Diego, CA—June 25, 2014 — Space is the place this summer at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. Across the country, people will be celebrating the 45th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing (July 20, 1969). Here in San Diego, the Fleet Science Center will provide two unique opportunities for the community to get up close and personal with life in outer space.

Ever wonder what it’s like to be an astronaut and to live and work in space? Find out directly from NASA’s newest multimedia exhibit, Destination Station, which lands at the Fleet Science Center on Saturday, July 12. In conjunction with the exhibit, the Fleet will present the IMAX® film, Hidden Universe — also opening on July 12 — for further space exploration.

Destination Station immerses visitors in the story of the International Space Station. Visitors will learn about the 24/7/365 space-based research that brings results down to Earth to play a role in our lives. They will also learn how the space station operates as a result of a peaceful international partnership of five space agencies representing 15 countries.

The exhibit includes hands-on activities, imagery and audio and visual technology to connect visitors with their place in space, communicating the real and potential impacts of the space station on our everyday lives.

In addition, NASA astronauts will be in the San Diego area from July 13-20 to share the agency’s accomplishments, promise and opportunities for research aboard the International Space Station.

Destination Station is NASA's International Space Station Program national awareness campaign and traveling exhibit that promotes research opportunities, educates communities about activities performed on the International Space Station and communicates the real and potential impacts of the station on our everyday lives. NASA astronauts, scientists and staff travel to a few cities each year sharing the wonders of the space station through general public events, researcher meetings, education activities and legislative discussions.

For more information about the International Space Station, visit www.nasa.gov/station.

Hidden Universe

To complement the multimedia exhibit Destination Station, the Fleet will present the giant IMAX adventure Hidden Universe, which takes audiences on an extraordinary journey deep into space. Through IMAX cinematography, the deepest reaches of our universe are brought to life with unprecedented clarity through real images captured by the world’s most powerful telescopes—seen on-screen for the first time.

Stunning, high-resolution images of space allow moviegoers to explore the earliest galaxies, watch stars being born in vivid clouds of gas and dust, tour the surface of Mars and witness images of distant celestial structures, including stunning views of the Sun. These dramatic images offer fresh insight into the origins and evolution of the universe.

The film opens in the Fleet’s Heikoff Giant Dome Theater on Saturday, July 12, with daily screenings through the end of the year. Narrated by Golden Globe winner Miranda Richardson, Hidden Universe is a December Cinema Productions film produced in association with Film Victoria, Swinburne University of Technology, the European Southern Observatory (ESO) and MacGillivray Freeman Films.

For more information about Hidden Universe, visit www.rhfleet.org/shows/hidden-universe.

Community Events

In conjunction with the Destination Station exhibit at the Fleet, NASA will be hosting a series of community events throughout San Diego County, July 13-20. From the “Driven To Explore” mobile exhibit to interactive presentations and “Train Like an Astronaut” activities, all are invited to participate and get a taste of life in space and what it’s like to be an astronaut. (* below denotes “Driven To Explore” mobile exhibit locations.)

For questions or more information regarding these NASA-hosted events, please contact Hayley Fick at 281-792-8161 or hayley.m.fick@nasa.gov.

July 13: Fiesta del Sol*   

July 14: Girls, Inc. Lunch n’ Learn hosted by Sony

July 14: Navy Dinner and Meet and Greet (Murphy Canyon Chapel, 3200 Santo Road)*

July 15: UC San Diego*

July 15: San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum

July 16: Rady Children’s Hospital and Reuben H. Fleet Science Center*

July 16: San Diego Chargers/NFL PLAY60

July 17: Legislative Visits at Reuben H. Fleet Science Center

July 17: Mira Mesa Park – Summer Lunch BBQ Program

July 18: City Heights Summer Lunch BBQ Program*

July 18: Padres vs. Mets at Petco Park*

July 19: San Diego Pride Festival*

July 20: San Diego Pride Festival*